Private Project

The Second Sunrise: Coffee and Rwanda

Dubbed as “the Land of Thousand Hills”, Rwanda boasts pristine wilderness and perfect natural conditions for the coffee growing. Coffee has been present there since the colonial times. Nowadays, "The Black Gold” plays a significant role in Rwandan developing economy and the sector employs more than 400.000 people. However, coffee contribution to the nation is more profound than mere state finances enhancement. Rwanda is still healing wounds after 1994 genocide drama, which left more than 1 million Tutsis killed and the nation torn apart. Can coffee become a reconciliation tool between survivors and perpetrators and help in rebranding Rwanda international image? Film takes viewers for an adventure to this tiny African country and following specialty coffee production stages, we meet people who dedicated their lives to the coffee: farmers, exporters, quality cuppers, roasters and others.

  • Karol Kowalski
    Director
  • Karol Kowalski
    Writer
  • Inganzongari Dance Group
    Music
  • Katarzyna Leśniak
    Editing
  • Foundation of Economy and Public Administration
    Producer
  • Open Eyes Economy
    Owner
    Fundacja GAP
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Television
  • Genres:
    Documentary, Society, History, Economy, Fairtrade, Environment, Coffee, Politics, Africa, Rwanda
  • Runtime:
    37 minutes 10 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 14, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    28,000 USD
  • Country of Filming:
    Rwanda
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Karol Kowalski

Karol Kowalski, born in 1989 in Krakow, documentary film director, photographer and journalist. Graduated from University of Economics in Krakow and journalism department at University of Warsaw, gained experience working in Poland, United Kingdom and Africa.

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Director Statement

When you hear “Rwanda”, the very first thing that comes to your mind is the genocide. Our goal is to present another, new face of this tiny African country, not forgetting about the drama of 1 million Tutsis killed in 1994. We tell the story of Rwanda following the history of coffee in this country, and how the coffee has helped in the rebirth of the nation.